National park · United States
Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument
Entry is free — there is no gate and no fee. Drive Highway 12 for the viewpoints, walk Lower Calf Creek Falls (5.5 mi return) as the one hike everyone can do, and treat every slot canyon as a no-go if rain is anywhere in the forecast.
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
7,600 km²2,934 sq mi
approximate
Established
1996
Best months
Apr–May, Oct
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
At a glance
- Country
- United States
- Area
- 7,600 km²2,934 sq mi
- About 1.87 million acres (7,600 km²) as designated in 1996; boundaries were redrawn in 2017 and restored in 2021, so acreage figures vary by source (check).
- Established
- 1996
- Best months
- Apr–May, Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
Grand Staircase-Escalante is not a park with an entrance station. It is 1.9 million acres of BLM land between Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef, crossed by two paved roads (US-89 south, Highway 12 north) and a handful of dirt roads that turn to impassable clay when wet. There is no fee, no gate and almost no visitor infrastructure — you plan around water, fuel, shade and weather, not around tickets.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1996.
Size and age
7,600 km²2,934 sq mi · national park since 1996
About 1.87 million acres (7,600 km²) as designated in 1996; boundaries were redrawn in 2017 and restored in 2021, so acreage figures vary by source (check).
Why go
- Slot canyons at every level, from a family walk in Willis Creek to technical canyoneering routes.
- Lower Calf Creek Falls: a year-round waterfall at the end of a 5.5-mile return walk.
- The Wahweap hoodoos and Yellow Rock — formations you reach on foot, not from a car window.
- Two paved highways cross the monument, so you can see a lot of it in a single driving day.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebAvoid
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepGo
- OctBest
- NovGo
- DecCaution
- JanCold, windy; snow and mud close dirt roads
- FebCold; dirt roads often still mud
- MarMild days; snowmelt can leave clay roads wet
- AprCool, dry, long days — prime hiking
- MayWarm and dry; book Escalante lodging early
- JunHot; afternoon storms build mid-June onward
- JulOver 38°C at times; flash-flood seasonOver 100°F at times; flash-flood season
- AugMonsoon storms; slot canyons unsafe
- SepStorms ease late month; heat drops
- OctDry, clear and cool — best all-round month
- NovCrisp; short days, some services close
- DecCold; snow possible, roads icy
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Desert bighorn sheepOct–Apr · Seen on cliffs and water sources; keep distance. | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
| Pronghorn and mule deerApr–May, Sep–Oct | no | no | no | yes | yes | no | no | no | yes | yes | no | no |
| Rattlesnakes activeApr–Sep · Watch hands and feet in slots and under ledges. | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Migrating birds in riparian valleysApr–May, Sep–Oct | no | no | no | yes | yes | no | no | no | yes | yes | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
How to get there
From Las Vegas
I-15 north, then UT-14 east from Cedar City to US-89 or Highway 12.
4–5 h
Open the page →
From Salt Lake City
I-15 south, then UT-14 east to US-89 into the monument.
4.5–5.5 h
Open the page →
From Bryce Canyon
Highway 12 east through Cannonville and Escalante — the monument's northern edge.
1–1.5 h
From Capitol Reef
Highway 12 west over Boulder Mountain to Escalante.
1.5–2 h
From Page / Glen Canyon
US-89 west to Big Water, then Cottonwood Canyon Road north (dirt).
1.5–2 h
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Highway 12 corridor (Escalante Canyons) | Escalante town, Lower Calf Creek Falls, Hole-in-the-Rock Road trailheads. | Paved; open year-round, snow possible in winter. |
| Skutumpah and Johnson Canyon roads | Willis Creek, Lick Wash, Bull Valley Gorge — the easiest slot canyons. | Dirt; impassable when wet. |
| Cottonwood Canyon Road | 46-mile dirt link between Cannonville and Big Water; Cottonwood Narrows, Yellow Rock, Grosvenor Arch. | Dirt; high-clearance advised, closed after rain. |
| Wahweap / Big Water | Wahweap hoodoos and the southern staircase cliffs. | Dirt and wash walking; no shade. |
| Kaiparowits Plateau | Remote high country in the middle of the monument. | Rough dirt roads; self-rescue country. |
Sketch map
- 1Escalante visitor centre · Headquarters≈37.770, -111.602Map ↗
- 2Lower Calf Creek Falls trailhead · Trail≈37.791, -111.414Map ↗
- 3Hole-in-the-Rock Road turn-off · Gate≈37.727, -111.531Map ↗
- 4Willis Creek trailhead · Trail≈37.483, -112.097Map ↗
- 5Grosvenor Arch · Viewpoint≈37.457, -111.832Map ↗
- 6Yellow Rock · Viewpoint≈37.258, -111.922Map ↗
- 7Wahweap Hoodoos · Viewpoint≈37.112, -111.689Map ↗
- 8Cannonville · Town≈37.567, -112.053Map ↗
- 9Big Water · Town≈37.077, -111.659Map ↗
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monument entry | Free | person | No entrance fee and no gate; BLM-managed land is free to enter. |
| Camping on BLM land (dispersed) | Free | night | Free outside developed areas; no facilities, pack out everything. |
| Developed campground (e.g. Escalante area) | US$15–25 | night | 2026 estimate; first-come, some sites reservable (check). |
| Canyoneering or guided slot tour | US$150–350 | person | 2026 estimate from local outfitters; varies by route and group size. |
| America the Beautiful annual pass | US$80 | year | Not needed here, but covers nearby national parks. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Monument entry no permit
Overnight backcountry no permit
The Wave (Coyote Buttes North) permit or guide
Technical slot canyons no permit
Park rules
- Slot canyons and rain
- Do not enter a slot canyon if rain is forecast anywhere in its watershed — flash floods arrive with no local rain.
- Dirt roads when wet
- Clay surfaces become impassable; do not drive them after storms, even in a 4x4.
- Camping
- Dispersed camping is free on most BLM land; use existing sites, no fires outside metal rings, pack out all waste.
- Artifacts and rock
- Do not touch rock art, ruins or fossils, and do not collect rocks or plants — all protected.
- Drones
- Not allowed over the monument without BLM permission (check).check
- Water and fuel
- No services inside the monument; fill up and carry water in Escalante, Cannonville or Big Water.
Where to stay
Near the park
Escalante
Motels, outfitters and small restaurants on Highway 12; the best base for the northern half.
Near the park
Boulder
Small inns west of Escalante, closer to Capitol Reef.
Near the park
Cannonville and Tropic
Lodging near Bryce Canyon and the Skutumpah Road entrance.
Near the park
Kanab
Largest service town on the south side, near US-89 and Johnson Canyon Road.
Near the park
Big Water
Small base for the Wahweap hoodoos and Cottonwood Canyon Road.
In the park
Dispersed camping on BLM land
Free camping on existing sites; no water, no toilets, no bins.
Safety
Flash floods in slot canyons high
Heat and no shade high
Getting lost off-trail medium
Stuck or stranded on dirt roads medium
Accessibility
- Highway 12 and US-89 viewpoints, Grosvenor Arch and the Escalante visitor centre are reachable by car with short, level walks.
- Lower Calf Creek Falls, the slots and the hoodoo walks are sand, rock and stream beds — not suitable for wheelchairs or limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Pack out all waste, including toilet paper; there are no bins in the backcountry.
- Stay on established routes and durable rock to protect cryptobiotic soil.
- Use existing campsites and keep fires in metal rings only, or skip the fire in dry months.
- Buy fuel, food and permits in Escalante, Boulder, Kanab or Big Water so gateway towns benefit.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument?
Nothing. There is no entrance fee, no gate and no ticket — it is BLM land, not a national park. You pay only for camping in developed campgrounds, guided trips and your own fuel and water.
What are the best hikes in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument?
Lower Calf Creek Falls (5.5 mi return, year-round waterfall) is the one hike for everyone. For slots, Willis Creek Narrows and Cottonwood Narrows are easy; Peek-a-Boo and Spooky are short but tighter. Yellow Rock and the Wahweap hoodoos are unmarked walks with no shade.
When is the best time to visit Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument?
April, May and October: dry, cool enough to hike all day and dirt roads usually passable. July and August are hottest and bring monsoon storms that make slot canyons dangerous. Winter is cold and snow can close the dirt roads.
Do I need a permit or a guide?
No permit for monument entry or most backcountry routes. The Wave (Coyote Buttes North) needs a separate BLM lottery permit. Technical canyoneering needs rope skills; outfitters in Escalante run guided trips if you would rather not lead.
Can I drive the dirt roads in a normal car?
Sometimes, in dry weather, slowly. Cottonwood Canyon Road, Skutumpah Road and Hole-in-the-Rock Road are washboarded and become impassable clay when wet. High clearance is recommended and 4x4 helps; check conditions at a visitor centre first.
Where should I stay near the monument?
Escalante is the main base on Highway 12, with Boulder, Cannonville and Tropic to the west and Kanab and Big Water to the south. Dispersed camping on BLM land is free but has no water, toilets or bins.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go